Hood latch



Feb. 24, 1931. F. L. CUMMINS- HOOD LATCH Filed March 25, 1929 Swim/r1600 a M m Hg 3 w M N W m 0 i 3 a -L z a "w ll 5 f 1 P A: a w w X Z flux Patented Feb. 24, 1931 FORREST L. GUMMINS, OF LAKE VIEW, OHIO HOOD LATCH Application filed March 25, 1929. Serial No. 349,785.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in latches, and particularly to latches for use in connection with automobile hood covers.

Latches as now used on automobile hood covers, are in pairs, and require two hands to release the same at the same time, so that subsequently one hand may be used to grasp the handle of the hood cover to raise the same.

1:) This is rather inconvenient, and furthermore,

the presence of the latches, on the outside oi the cover, interferes with the proper cleaning of the hood cover, and furthermore, detracts from a smooth exterior.

One object of the present invention is to provide a latching device which is simple in construction, and which permits the release and relatching of the cover, by the use oi one hand, of the operator.

Another object is to provide a latching device of this character which is mounted on the inside of the hood cover, whereby to permitthe cover to have a smooth exterior, for the sake of appearance, and also to faciliiii 25 tate cleaning the same.

A further object is to provide a device of this character wherein the latches are protected from deterioration by the weather.

Other objects and advantages will be apas parent from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawing.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is an elevation of the interior of an automobile hood cover equipped with the improved latches.

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view on the line 2-2 of Figure 1, enlarged, showing the parts in latched position.

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view on the line 3-3 of Figure 1, showing the parts being disengaged.

Figure 4 is a horizontal sectional view on the line 4-4 of Figure 1.

Referring particularly to the accompanying drawing, represents the metal plate on which the lower edge of the hood cover 11 is adapted to rest. Secured on this plate 10 is a bracket 12, having an arm 13 extending inwardly, as clearly shown in the drawin Disposed vertically through the inner end of this arm 13 is a bolt 14, the same being held in proper position within the arm by means of the nuts 15. On the upper end of the bolt there is formed an upwardly and outwardly inclined loop 16, which is adapted to engage with the mechanism carried by the hood cover 11, which will now be explained.

Secured to the inner face of the cover 11 is a casing 17, and forming a part of the casing, and extending downwardly therefrom, is a metal strip 18, which is also secured to the hood cover. Pivotally mounted in the casing 17 an L-shaped member 19, having a longer leg 20 extending downwardly through the bottom of the casing bearing against the said strip 18, and an outwardly extending horizontal portion 21, within the casing. Disposed within the casing is a coil spring 22, one end of which bears against the attached wall of the casing, while the other end bears against the upper face of the horizontal portion 21, such spring being curved as clearly seen in the drawing.

The strip 18, adjacent the lower end of the casing 17 is formed with the forwardly extending side flanges, 23, the outer edges of which incline downwardly away from the hood cover, and have their upper wider ends spaced from the bottom of the casing, to permit entrance of the transverse end portion of the loop 16. p i

The lower end portion of the leg 20 is turned outwardly, as shown at 2 1, whereby to permit the said transverse portion of the loop to pass thereunder, when the cover is brought down intoclosed position. As the said portion of the loop passes under said end of the loop, it engages with the inclined edges of the flanges 23, whereby said loop is urged outwardly, away from the hood cover, which causes the flexing of the leg 20, away from the plate or strip 18, resulting in the said transverse portion of the loop snapping against the strip 18, above the upper ends of the said flanges 23. The said portion of the loop is thus confined by the member 20 and the said ends of the flanges, whereby to hold the cover in closed position.

As clearly seen in Figure 1, there are two of the latching devices. On the central portion of the lower edge of the outer face of thehoodcover, there is secured a handle loop 25, which is grasped by the hand of the opera- 7 tor, when it is desired to open or close the said cover. Upon grasping the said handle, when the cover is closed, the operator pulls the cover outwardly, whereby to cause the rocking of the member 19, on its pivot, 10 against the tension of the spring 22, after which the operator exerts an upward move ment on the cover, with the result that the loop member is withdrawn from the leg- It will be noted that it requires'but one hand to accomplish this release or opening of the cover, as both of the latch; members are released at the sametime. To relatch the cover, the operator grasps the handle and properly, positions the cover so that the loopslG 20, engage beneath the lower ends of the legs 20, after which'the operator pushes clownwardly on the cover, whereby to cause the loop members to snap into place above the upper ends of the flanges 23, when the cover will 19c properly held in closed position.

Thus it will be seen that the cover can be readily and quickly opened or closed by the use of one hand. Further, it will be noted that the latches are properly concealed beneaththe hood, thus providing a smooth 'eX- terior to the hood, which adds to the appearance thereof, and-also facilitates cleaning same. i

' vVhat. is claimed is: A hood latch comprising a vertical post carried by an automobile, an upwardly and.

' outwardly directed loop rigidly carried by the upper end of the post, a casing carried by the inner face of the hood having its I bottom'open, a shouldered lug on the hood spaced below said casing, a bent lever pivotally mounted in said casing having. an end extending downwardly through the open bottom thereof for engagement through said" loop, the bight of said loop being received between the lower end of the casing and the shoulder of said lug, and a spring connected with the interior of said casing and having its other end bearing on the adjacent end'of 59 the lever to resiliently urge the lever into contact with the lug and the face of the hood, whereby to confine the said loop bight within said space.

In testimony whereof, I aliix my slgnature.

FORREST L. GUMMINS. 

